The parents of Madonna Badger, whose Connecticut house was engulfed by fire on Christmas Day, would have celebrated their 49th anniversary on Monday, a family friend told The New York Times.

Badger's parent, Lomer and Pauline Johnson, lost their lives on Sunday when a fire destroyed the Stamford Victorian-style waterfront home. Badger, an advertising executive, also lost her three children -- a 10-year-old and 7-year-old twins -- in the horrific fire. Her parents were visiting for Christmas.

According to The Times, Lomer Johnson, 71, spent Saturday working as Santa Claus in Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store in Manhattan. He reportedly held that gig since retiring as a safety director for Jack Daniel's parent company.

That's all he ever wanted to be, the family member told The Times. He stopped shaving the day he retired.

Authorities said they were called about the fire shortly before 5 a.m. on Sunday and tried to save the five who were trapped in the house.

Stamford Police Sgt. Paul Guzda said Madonna Badger and a male friend were able to escape the burning house.

Neighbors told the media they heard screams shortly before 5 a.m. and rushed outside to help. Unfortunately, they had to watch the house be consumed by flames.

Badger, the founder of New York City-based Badger & Winters Group, was treated and discharged from the Stamford Hospital on Sunday evening, MSNBC reported. Badger bought the five-bedroom home for $1.7 million last year.